Harrow evener



Nov. 10, 1936. w. F.- FRESE HARROW EVENER Filed July 20, 1956 Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

An object of my invention is to provide a harrow evener of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object is to provide a harrow evener .;especially adapted for conversion to a one, two,

three or four section harrow.

Another object is to provide a draw bar of extreme flexibility so that it can be adapted for any number of harrow sections up to four sections, and is adjustable to readily reduce the width of the draw bar and harrows when it is desirable to drive through a gate or the like.

A further object is to provide a draw bar which can be repaired by the use of standard items of equipment and tools found on a farm.

Still a further object is to provide a harrow evener which readily adjusts itself to the contour of the ground without any danger of breakage, yet provides substantial strength for heavy With these and other objects in view, my in-, vention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a harrow evener embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1 showing details of construction.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a hook member used in the construction of my draw bar; and

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are diagrammatical views showing respectively a one section hitch, a three section hitch and a four section hitch, in the latter of which two of the sections are swung to position overlying the other two sections to permit .mpassage of the evener harrows through a gate which will permit of passage of only two harrow sections when arranged side by side.

On the accompanying drawing I have used the reference numeral In to indicate a main draw 5-; bar. Ahead of the main draw bar is a reinforcing draw bar I2. The draw bars I0 and I2 are separated by spacers I4. The draw bars and spacers are rigidly connected together by elongated bolts IB. The side edges of the spacers I4- 50; are grooved as indicated at I8 in Figure 2, to

permit such coaction of the bolts I6 with the spacers I4 that the spacers are held against displacement. The bars I0 and I2 and the spacers I4 may be made of 2x4 material.

Abutting the ends of the main draw bar I0 are auxiliary draw bars 20. These also may be made of 2x4 material. The auxiliary bars 20 at their inner ends are held against displacement in any suitable manner. I have illustrated metal plates 22 secured to the top and bottom of the draw bar Ill and extending beyond the ends thereof for this purpose. The inner ends of the auxiliary draw bars 20 are preferably rounded both in plan and front elevation, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively, to permit relative bending movement of the auxiliary bars 20 relative to the main bar IIl without binding action of the plates 22.

I provide simple draft connections between the inner ends of the auxiliary draw bars 26 and the ends of the reinforcing draw bar I 2 consisting of a pair of clevises 24 connected together by a ring 26. To support the outer ends of the auxiliary bars 20 I provide chains 28. These are secured to the bars 20 by clevises 30 and may be connected with the ends of the reinforcing draw bar I2 in any suitable manner.

Adjacent the top of Figure 1 I illustrate a link of thechain 28 extending into the fork of a forked piece of strap iron 32 and a break pin 34 extending through the link and engaging the hook of the strap.

Adjacent the lower end of Figure 1 I show an extension element 36 in the form of a pair of bars pivoted on a bolt 38 to the main draw bar I6. Each pair of bars 36 is provided with a pair of bolts 40 on which are positioned spacers 42, the inner one engaging the strap 32 and the outer one being encircled by the chain 28. The chain on its free end has a hook 44 which can be hooked into one of the links of the chain after the length of the chain has been adjusted, thus providing additional support for the draw bar 20.

Either of the arrangements just described provides a cantilever connection between the ends of the reinforcing draw bar I2 and the outer ends of the auxiliary draw bars 26. Using the levers 36 makes it possible to use a longer auxiliary draw bar 20 if desired.

The draw bars I0 and I2 are provided with eye bolts 46 with which the draft hooks of harrow sections may be connected in the ordinary manner. When all four sections of a harrow are to be used, hitch to horses or a tractor may be made, either in a ring 48 or to a chain 50. This chain is preferably an ordinary log chain provided with hooks 52 at its ends so the ends can be looped around the reinforcing draw bar I2 and hooked into position without providing expensive eye bolts, or clevises, and yet making it possible to use 55;

an ordinary log chain, of which farmers usually have two or three. If desired, when the levers 36 are not being used in their cantilever connection capacity, hitch may be made to them.

When it is desirable to provide a three section hitch, one of the auxiliary draw bars 20 can be removed as illustrated in Figure 5, and hitch made to a different link on the chain 50 so that draft will be on the center line CL, which is the center line of the middle harrow section. Obviously for a two section hitch, the other auxiliary draw bar 20 is removed. For a one section hitch, one of the auxiliary bars 28 can be used, and the hook 44 of the chain 28 utilized for looping the chain around what was the inner end of the auxiliary draw bar. My construction gives a further very desirable advantage: When in use as a three or four section evener, the auxiliary draw bars and their harrow sections can be adjusted to the position shown in Figure 6. In this figure and also Figures 4, 5 and 6 the harrow sections are indicated as H.

After unhitching the chain 28 from the strap 32, the auxiliary draw bar and its section of harrow can be swung a quarter turn so that the harrow will rest on one of the middle harrow sections, so that the harrow is then only of normal width for a two section harrow, and can accordingly be driven through the ordinary width of gate. Thereafter it is very simple to swing the outer two harrow sections into their working position.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends ofsaid auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar and cantilever connections between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars.

2. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, meansfor rigidly connecting said draw bars together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar and cantilever connecions between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars, said cantilever connections including extension elements pivoted to the main draw bar and extending diagonally forwardly and outwardly beyond the ends of the reinforcing draw bar.

3. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar and cantilever connections between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars, said cantilever connections including forked hooks on the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and chain and break pin connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars.

4. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar spaced ahead of the main draw bar and rigidly secured thereto, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of the auxiliary draw bars, the ends of said main draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars having socket connections with each other and cantilever connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars.

5. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar, cantilever connections between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars, and means for limiting upward and downward movement of the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars relative to the ends of said main draw bar.

6. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers interposed between said draw bars, bolts extending through said draw bars for rigidly connecting them together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar and cantilever connections between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars.

7. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers interposed between said draw bars, bolts extending through said draw bars for rigidly connecting them together, said bolts being positioned on opposite sides of said spacers, said spacers having grooves in their sides to partially receive said bolts, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar and cantilever connections between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the ends of said reinforcing draw bars.

8. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar and having their inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar, means connected with the ends of said auxiliary draw bars for normally retaining them aligned with said main draw bar and a hitch for said harrow evener connected with said means.

9. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars, said inner ends abutting the ends of said main draw bar, forked hooks on the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and chain and break pin connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars.

10. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar spaced ahead of the main draw bar and rigidly secured thereto, auxiliary draw bars forming extensions of said main draw bar, draft connections between the ends of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner ends of the auxiliary draw bars, the ends of said main draw bar and the inner ends of said auxiliary draw bars having socket connections with each other and chains extending diagonally from the ends of said reinforcing draw bar to the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars for supporting said auxiliary draw bars relative to said main draw bar.

11. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, an auxiliary draw bar forming an extension of one end of said main draw bar, a draft connection between one end of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar, said inner end abutting the said end of said main draw bar, a cantilever connection between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and the said end of said reinforcing draw bars, and means for limiting upward and downward movement of the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar relative to said end of said main draw bar.

12. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers between said draw bars, means for rigidly connecting said draw bars together, an auxiliary draw bar forming an extension of one end of said main draw bar, a draft connection between one end of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar, said inner end abutting the said end of said main draw bar and a cantilever connection between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and said end of said reinforcing draw bars.

13. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers interposed between said draw bars, bolts extending through said draw bars for rigidly connecting them together, an auxiliary draw bar forming an extension of one end of said main draw bar, a draft connection between one end of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar, said inner end abutting the said end of said main draw bar, a cantilever connection between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and said end of said reinforcing draw bars and means for limiting upward and downward movement of the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar relative to said end of said main draw bar.

14. In a harrow evener, a main draw bar, a reinforcing draw bar ahead of said main draw bar, spacers interposed between said draw bars, bolts extending through said draw bars for rigidly connecting them together, an auxiliary draw bar forming an extension of one end of said main draw bar, a draft connection between one end of said reinforcing draw bar and the inner end of said auxiliary draw bar, said inner end abutting the said end of said main draw bar and a cantilever connection between the outer ends of said auxiliary draw bars and said end of said reinforcing draw bars.

WILLIAM F. FRESE. 

